Submergible switch



Feb. 6, 1945. M. L.. JEFFREY SUBMERGIBLE SWITCH Filed Sept. 29, 1941 mom @awww $1 INVENTOR.

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WN NN AH y mw m@ NW O0 www NN Patented Feb. 6, 1945 SUBMERGIBLE SWITCHMax L. Jeilrey, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The M. L. JeffreyCorporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationSeptember 29, 1941, Serial No. 412,805

9 Claims.

This invention relates to switches and operating mechanisms therefor andmore particularly to a switch that is submergible in a fluid.

In modern machines it is often desired to have circuit breakers operableby certain parts of the machine to open or close a circuit forcontrolling thc operation of another component of the machine. Where themoving part is located exteriorly of the machine it is a relativelysimple matter to provide a circuit breaker for actuation by that part.However, when moving parts are interior of the machine, as is often thecase, these parts may be either submerged in iluid or there may be anatmospherel of vapor surrounding the parts such that a switch has to bef WD@ wherein it is completely inclosed.

Still another problem resides in providing a switch wherein the part ofthe machine which is used to initiate the making and breaking of thecircuit has a relatively large travel while the movement necessary tooperate the switch contacts is relatively small.

By my present invention I am able to provide a switch wherein thecontacts are completely inclosed and there is no opportunity for fluideto get .into the switch itself, and wherein a relatively large amount ofovertravel is allowable without injuring the parts. It is therefore anobject of my invention to provide a switch which may besubmerged influids and wherein the fluids cannot obtain access to the circuit makingand breaking parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for aswitch which may be adjusted to open or close a circuitl Within closetolerances.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch wherein thecontacts are only opened or closed by movement of the control lever inone direction and movement of the control lever in the other directionhas no effect thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism for aswitch wherein the control lever may be readily adjusted to differentpositions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism for aswitch wherein the control lever is always returned after operation to apredetermined neutral position.

Still other objects of the invention including those of the economies ofconstruction and manufacture as well as the invention will become moreapparent from the following description in the embodiment thereof, whichdescription is illus- (Cl. 20o-153) trated by the accompanying drawingand forms a part of this specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a complete switch and itsoperating mechanism constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the switch houslng;

Fig. 3 is a view taken in a plane from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken onthe line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the adjustable parts shown in Fig. lwith certain interior parts being shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of an operating rod; I

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view thereof;

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of a sleeve used in conjunction withthe element of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the sleeve of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a side elevational view of the cam used for causing theoperation of the switch parts;

Fig. 1l is a plan view of a diaphragm member used for sealing thehousing;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a support used for mounting theswitch in the housing;

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of the clip of Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section of the cam taken at right angles tothat of Fig. 1

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the push rod and operating cam showingin doti-dash lines an alternate position taken by the parts duringOperation; and

Fig. 16 is a section taken on the line lE-IS of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawing throughout which like parts have beendesignated by like reference characters, the switch and its cooperativemechanism generally comprises a housing in which a switch of theso-called micro-type isdisposed. The housing has attached to it a, stemwhich contains a plunger and push rod mechanism for operating themicro-switch and which is connected into the switch housing by acoupling. The other end is provided with a cam and lever for operatingthe push rod.

More specifically, a housing illustrated generally at lil comprises asubstantially rectangular box II and has extending from its one end athreaded coupling l2 which may be attached to a conventional conduit andwhich opens into the interlor of the housing. The micro-switch I3 iswell known. It is provided with an operating pin I5 which extendsthrough one side and which operates the switch with a snap action uponvery small movement thereof. The body of the `switch I3 is rectangularand is provided with a pair of transverse openings I6 through the bodythrough which screws may ordinarily be passed for mounting purposes.Insulating means for the housing is provided in the form of a fiber cupI1 having an opening I8 therethrough in alignment with the opening inthe coupling I2 for reception of the wires (not shown) which attach tocontact screws on the base of the switch I3, The housing is providedwith laterally extending flanges 2U on the end and is adapted to beclosed by a cap 2I which is screwed to the ilanges by screws 22.Interposed between the cap and the body of the housing and held in placeby the cap is a diaphragm 23 (Fig. l1). The diaphragm is constructed ofany ilexible material, preferably of oil resistant synthetic rubber. Abutton 24 is disposed in the diaphragm located opposite the operatingpin I5. It comprises a head adapted to engage with the pin, and having ashank 26 extending through the diaphragm and riveted over at 21 in awasher 28 on the other side of the diaphragm. The button assembly isriveted sufciently tight to seal the hole through the diaphragm andprovides a rigid means for transmitting pressure to the pin I5.

The micro-switch is positioned in the housing I0 by a support bestillustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 which comprises a generally rectangularnat body portion 30 having a pair of pins 3I extending normal to thebody portion and adapted to extend through the openings I5 in themicroswitch. The body portion is also provided on opposite ends with apair of curved arms 32 shaped to conform to the inner periphery of thehousing recess I I which housing is also relieved at 33 to receive thearms. The relieved portion provides a pair of shoulders for each of thearms and the support and switch are assembled together and slid into therelieved portion 33 and are held rigidly in place by the pressure of thecap 2I against the edge of the coupling.

The cap 2l is provided with a coupling 35 disposed opposite to thebutton 24 on the diaphragm and having an opening 36 coaxial therewith.The coupling is provided with a pair of downwardly extending ears 31which are separated from the housing by a slot 38 which extends up intothe coupling. A set screw 33 extends through a hole in one of the earsand is threaded into the other ear providing a clamp for clamping intothe coupling a tube 4I which extends through the coupling and into asocket 42 in the housing. An opening is provided through the cap coaxialwith the bore of the coupling and with the button on the diaphragm. Thetube 4I supports the mechanism including the plunger assembly foroperating against the button 24 which in turn operates the pin I5 of themicro-switch.

The plunger assembly for engagement with the button is housed in the endof the tube 4I and comprises a cylindrical body 43 into the end of whichis screwed a set screw 44 which is locked in adjusted position by a locknut 45. The body is provided with a cylindrical bore 46 and a headedmember 41 is reciprocably disposed in the body extending through asleeve 48. The sleeve 4l is held in position in the body by an endflange 49 of the cylinder 43 which may be spun over and through whichthe stem ot the member 41 extends. A helical spring 5I is disposedbetween the head 56 of the member 41 and the other end of the bore 4l.

The plunger assembly may be moved longitudinally in the tube 4I, and theadjustable set screw 44 extends through the opening in the housing cap2I in position to engage the button 24 on the diaphragm. The plungerassembly may be moved against the button which in turn is forced againstthe operating pin I5 of the micro-switch to operate the micro-switch.This is accomplished by moving a rod into engagement with the end of theheaded member 41 which extends out of the cylinder 43. The member 41 isalso capable of movement independent Of the cylinder 43 when thepressure on the set screw 44 becomes sufficiently great because themember 41 transmits its pressure to the cylinder 43 through the spring5I. In this manner the spring 5| is designed to have suilicientstiffness to allow the micro-switch to be operated without anyappreciable movement of the member 41 relative to the cylinder 43, butafter the switch has been operated injury to the switch is prevented andgreater movement of the mechanism for operating the switch is permittedbecause the spring 5I compresses.

The mechanism for operating the cylinder 43. which comprises a push rodand cam mechanism. is supported by the other end of the tube 4I. Acoupling 60 is disposed on the end of the tube 4I. The tube is ofreduced diameter at 6I to receive the end of the coupling 60 over theoutside. This coupling may be threaded on to the end of the tube 6I ormay be secured thereon by a press fit. The coupling has a male end B2 ofreduced diameter and which is substantially closed except for a push rodguiding opening 63 coaxial with the tube 4I. This end 62 supports ahousing 64, which is held in place by a tapered pin 65 which extendsthrough the coupling, off center. The housing 64 may be square and isclosed on its end at 66. A circular opening 61 extends transverselythrough the housing spaced slightly from the end. Seated in this opening61 is a cam member 68 best shown in Fig. 10. The cam member 68 isprovided with a cylinder portion 69 at its end which provides a bearingfor engagement with the opening 61 and a cylinder portion 10 adjacentits base for providing a bearing for engagement in the opening 61 on theopposite side. The body 68 is also cylindrical and is provided with asquare notch 1I which extends into the body, the base of which providesa cam surface. The end of the cam member is enlarged slightly at 12 andthe end is serrated at 13. A threaded opening 14 coaxial with the cam isprovided, adapted to receive a screw 15 which holds a cap 16, Figs. 1and 4, in the body. The cap 16 is provided with a lug 11 on one side andwith a transverse groove 18 on the other side for reception of the rod19 which rod is held in the groove against the serrations of the cam. Aslot is provided in the other end of the cam for the reception of thescrew driver or other instrument to assist in the adjustment.

A cam return and push rod guide is provided for engagement with the camsurface 1I of the cam and includes a body portion 82 of substantiallysquare cross section with the corners rounded at 83 and has a reducedcylindrical extension 84 adapted to receive a spring 85. `The extensionand the body is provided with a slot 81 ex- ,surface l i.

tending longitudinally therethrough. The head of the cam or the body 82is adapted for engagement in the opening 1| of the cam with the end ofthe head pressed against the fiat cam A push rod 98 extendslongitudinally of the tube 4| and through a guide 9| secured in the endof the tube adjacent the plunger 48 by rolling in the tube as at 92. Theother end of the push rod is provided with al head 94. The push rod issecured into the head 84 by inserting the rod into a hole in the headand riveting a cross pin S6 transversely through the head and which pinengages a notch in the rod. The end of the head is cut away at 91 andthe head is reciprocable in the slot 81 of the member 82, the sides ofthe head providing a close sliding fit therewith as best shown in Figs.1 and 4. The face 98 Iof the head opposite the cut-away portion 91 restson the inside of the housing 64 and is retained within the sleeve 82 bycontact therewith. The rod 90 being secured in the head off center whenplaced in the tube is in a position coaxial therewith and is also guidedby the opening 63 in the coupling 60.

In operation the lever 19 is adjusted to any predetermined position bymeans of the set screw l and cap 16. The end of the push rod head 94 atthe junction with the face 91 is engaged with the cam face ll. As willbest be seen from Figs. 14 and l5, when the cam 'li is rotated in thedirection of the arrows it moves the sleeve 82 against the pressure ofthe spring 85 together with the push rod, but since the head 94 isreciprocable in the slot of the sleeve and because the cut away portion9T is disposed on the side towards the opposite direction of therotation as indicated Kby the arrow, when the cam is moved in theopposite direction as shown, the face 'H engages the end of the member82 but does not contact the head 84 of the push rod. Hence only themember 82 is moved. ln either instance the body 82 returns the cam andlever 'i9 to its neutral position by reason of the spring 85 whichforces the body 82 toward the end of the housing 64 and which engagesthe cam at 'll to rotate it until the neutral position is reached, afterwhich the body then engages the full cam surface and stops its rotationin its neutral position. This enables the lever "l to be noved in onedirection and not aiiect the push rod 9U and in the other direction tomove the push rod 9U.

Longitudinal movement of the push rod 9i) is communicated to the stud ilin the plunger assembly which assembly movement is communicated by meansof the button to the operating i pin i5 of the micro-switch. After themicroswitch has been operated continued movement of the plunger meetswith resistance, the stud il slides in the cylinder 43 compressing thespring 5l. When the lever 'I9 is released the spring 85 returns the camand lever to its neutral position as previously described. The spring 5|returns the stud 4l to its normal position in the cylinder 43 whereinthe head 56 engages the inner end of the sleeve 48.

Obviously the rod Sil and the tube il can be made of various lengths toenable the operation to be eiective at greater distances from the switchwhen desired and also additional guides 9| may be disposed in the tubeto furnish lateral support for the rod 90. the switch effectivelyagainst foreign matter such as liquids and it is of no moment thatliquids can get into the tube di since there are no electricalconnections within this tube.

The diaphragm 23 seals Having thus described my invention in anembodiment thereof I am aware that numerous and extensive departures maybe made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1|. A device of the class described including a tube, a telescopableplunger disposed in one end of the tube, and a cam in the other end, aspring pressed follower for said cam and a push rod guided by saidfollower and operable by said cam to in turn move said plunger, saidplunger adapted to telescope upon meeting pre-determined resistance tomovement.

2. A device of the class described, a tube, a plunger disposed in saidtube and comprising a hollow cylinder having an adjustable abutment inone end, a piston slidably extending out of the other end and springmeans holding the piston in extended position, means for reciprocatingsaid plunger in said tube including a housing carried by the other endof the tube, a cam member rotatably supported by said housing androtatable about an axis extending transversely across the housing andhaving a cam surface disposed parallel to the axis of rotation, afollower in said housing guided thereby and having a cam face engagingsurface, spring means for urging said follower against said cam face tohold said cam resiliently in a neutral position, said follower having alongitudinal slot therethrough provided with parallel side walls, a pushrod in said tube having one end adapted to contact said plunger and ahead on the other end guided by the walls of said slot in said follower,said head having an extension adapted to engage said cam face on oneside of its axis of rotation, and being free of the cam on the otherside of its axis of rotation, said cam adapted to move the follower andpush rod when rotated in one direction and the follower alone whenrotated in the opposite direction and means for rotating said cam.

3. An apparatus of the class described, including a housing, a plungerreciprocably disposed in one end of said housing for operating a switchor the like, means to move said plunger in said housing comprising a camcarried by the other end of the housing, a push rod extending throughthe housing and having an end in engagement with said plunger, a headcarried by the other end of said rod for engagement with said cam, meansexterior of the housing for rotating the cam and means interiorly of thehousing for returning said cam to a neutral position.

4. An apparatus of the class described, including a housing, a plungerreciprocably disposed in one end of said housing for operating a switchor the like, means to move said plunger in said housing comprising a camcarried by the other end of the housing, a push rod extending throughthe housing and having an end in engagement with said plunger, a headcarried by the other end of said rod for engagement with said cam, meansexterior of the housing for rotating the cam and means interiorly of thehousing for returning said cam to a neutral position, said interiormeans comprising a member for engagement with the cam surface of saidcam and spring means for urging said member against said cam.

5. An apparatus of the class described, including a housing, a plungerreciprocably disposed in one end of said housing for operating a switchor the like, means to move said plunger in said housing comprising a camcarried by the other end of the housing, a push rod extending throughthe housing and having an end in engagement with said plunger, a headcarried by the other end of said rod for engagement with said cam, meansexterior of the housing for rotating the cam and means interiorly of thehousing for returning said cam to a neutral position. said interiormeans comprising a member for engagement with the cam surface of saidcam and spring means for urging said member against said cam, said pushrod being movable relative to said cam return member.

6. An apparatus of the class described. a housina, a cam disposed insaid housing and having a cam surface rotatable about an axis transverseof said housing, a cam follower disposed in said housing in engagementwith said cam surface and resilient means holding said follower againstsaid surface and operable to resiliently hold said cam in a neutralposition, a push rod for engagement by said cam having a head portionfor engagement with said cam surface at one side thereof and beingrelieved at the other side whereby said cam upon rotation in onedirection moves said cam and follower simultaneously and in the otherdirection of rotation moves the follower only.

7. A device of the class described including a housing, a cam memberrotatably disposed in said housing and having a cam face, said cam faceextending parallel to the axis of rotation of said cam, means forengagement with said cam face to hold said cam in a neutral positioncomprising a follower having an end face for engagement with the camface and spring means for pressing said follower against said cam face,a push rod operable by said cam and including a head guided by saidfollower, the end of said head having an extension for engagement withsaid cam face at one side of the axis of rotation, said head being freefrom engagement with the cam face on the other side of said axis ofrotation, said cam being operable upon rotation in one direction to movesaid push rod and in the other direction to move free of the push rod.

amiamov 8. A device of the class described including a support. arotatable cam element rotatably carried by the support and having a camface rotatable about and to one side of the cam element axis, means forreturning the cam to neutral position comprising a follower guided bythe support having a flat face in engagement with the cam face andspring means for holding the follower pressed against the cam, a pushrod for operation by said cam having a head and a cam engaging face forengaging said cam face at one side of its axis of rotation, said cambeing rotatable to move the push rod head when rotated in one directionand when rotated in the other direction rotating out of engagement withthe push rod head said follower being formed with a guide slot forguiding said push rod.

9. An apparatus of the class described including tubular housing, acollapsible plunger reciprocably disposed in said housing and comprisinga. cylindrical member having an adjustable member on one end foradjusting the length of the plunger and a resilient extension for theother end of the plunger, means for moving said plunger in said tubecomprising a cam rotatably journalled in the other end of the housingand having a cam surface extending transversably to the axis of thetube, a cam follower for said cam slidably guided by said housing andhaving a cam engaging face, spring means for holding said followeragainst the cam face, said follower being formed with a kerf extendinglongitudinally therethrough and a push rod disposed in said housinghaving one end engaged with the plung er and a head on the other enddisposed in said kerf, the end of said head being relieved on one sideand formed to engage the cam face on the other side, said cam adapted tomove the follower and head and push rod when rotated in one directionand the follower only when rotated in the other direction.

MAX L. JEFFREY.

CERTIFICATE OF CRREGTI0N. Patent No. 2,568,926. February, 1945.

MAX L. JEFFREY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification vof the above mmberedipatent requiring correction'as follows: Page LL,-second column, lline L|.l,` after 'direction. and before the signature,insert the following claim 10. A device of the clasa described,a-housing, a

rotatable cam element journalied in s'aidhousing, a cam face for saidcam element disposed in a plane parallel `to and one/'aide of the axisof rotation of said cam element, means for rotating said cam exteriorlyof4 said housing and means for resiliently holding said camin a.'neutral position oomprisingafollcwver slidably disposed` in said housingand having a flat end portion resting against said cam face, springmeans for said follower for holding it againatjsam cam face, apusn rodtempted4 to be moved by said cam upon rotation in one direction only andincluding ahead porti on having an end extension for engagement withsaid cam face at one' sideonly of its axis of rotation, said followerbeing provided with a longitudinally extending groove and said push rodhead being disposed in said grooveandguided thereby.;

in the heading to the printed specification, line 7., for "9 Claims"read --lO Claims; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis 'correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent office.

Spigned and sealed this 26th day of June, A. D. 1914.5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

